Article 50 as it happened: Merkel scuppers May's Brexit strategy within hours of Article 50 being triggered

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Theresa May says Britain's 'best days lie ahead' in Article 50 speech

Welcome to The Independent’s liveblog. Theresa May has formally triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and started the countdown on Britain’s two-year exit from the European Union.

Here are the latest updates:

• Merkel derails May's Brexit plan
• Donald Tusk to UK: 'We miss you already'
• Read Theresa May's full Article 50 letter to the EU
• Article 50 triggered
• Read Theresa May's full Brexit statement to the Commons
• Leaked EU response to Britain's Article 50 letter
• What will happen to the economy?
• Latest updates on the pound 

Welcome to The Independent’s liveblog as Theresa May prepares to formally trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and start the countdown on Britain’s two-year exit from the European Union.

Just after 4.30pm on Tuesday, Ms May signed the historic 6-page document in the Cabinet room of Downing Street below the portrait of Sir Robert Walpole – the first Prime Minister. Later today she will deliver a statement in the Commons on the Government’s negotiating strategy as well as facing Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, during the weekly session of Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs).

Around the same time, Sir Tim Barrow, the UK’s representative to the EU, will deliver the Prime Minister’s Article 50 letter to Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, who will then make a brief statement.

The Prime Minister is expected to emphasise her “fierce determination to get the right deal for every single person in this country” and call for people to unite after the divisive and bitter referendum campaign last year.

As she prepares to invoke Article 50 and begin an arduous two-year negation to sever ties with Brussels, she added: “When I sit around the negotiating table in the months ahead, I will represent every person in the whole United Kingdom – young and old, rich and poor, city, town, country and all the villages and hamlets in between,”

Unite for Europe March, London, UK - 25 Mar 2017 (Rex)

“And yes, those EU nationals who have made this country their home. It is my fierce determination to get the right deal for every single person in this country.”

She said her guiding principles would be ensuring the UK was stronger and fairer than it is today.

[29 March 2017 19:48 · Samuel Osborne]

Paul Nuttall said he disagreed with "very little" of what the PM said today. 

"She's talking the talk... but when it comes to walking the walk she generally fails."

[29 March 2017 19:49 · Samuel Osborne]

Mr Nuttall took credit (on behalf of Ukip) for forcing former Prime Minister David Cameron to hold a referendum on leaving the EU.

[29 March 2017 19:52 · Samuel Osborne]

Jonathan Bartley said he is a "passionate defender" of freedom of movement within the EU and accused Ms May of pushing for an "extreme" Brexit.

[29 March 2017 20:00 · Samuel Osborne]

That's it from Andrew Neil's interview with Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn, which was followed by a debate between Tim Farron, Paul Nuttall and Jonathan Bartley.

[29 March 2017 21:07 · Samuel Osborne]

That's all from us today, thank you for following and goodnight.